Of science and of arts; friend to the muse, Hail, sov'reign lady, dearest dread! accept JOSEPH SPENCE, M.A. REGIUS PROfessor of MODERN HISTORY. FROM THE "GRATULATIO OXONIENSIS OB GEORGIUM FREDERICUM AUGUSTUM, WALLIE PRINCIPEM, NATUM." 1762. HAIL to the sacred day, that gives an heir Of law erected; and th' important charge Thrice happy Britain! by th' encircling sea In the high privilege of legal sway Distinguished; where the civil powers triform, Their steady course, and tend to one fix'd point, Stands firm by thee, and owns thy guardian care. By thee secure, the sceptre of the main, From sire to son transmitted, shall descend Through Brunswick's line; nor know the frequent change, Tyrannic rule unblest. There dark distrust, Preposterous, who in frantic fear destroys * But learn, ye Britons, with observance due, With holy estimation, and deep awe, Your country, your religion, to revere, Your laws, your liberty; ye princes, learn, But power obedient to the rein of law, Your strength; in this your safety stands; in this, JOSEPH SPENCE, M.A. REGIUS PROFESSOR OF MODERN HISTORY. AN ODE TO THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. IN IMITATION OF THE SIXTH ODE OF THE THIRD BOOK OF HORACE. I. BRITON! the thunder of the wrath divine, Due to thy fathers' crimes, and long withheld from thine, 1 An animated episode on the recent events in Russia was here expunged by the authorities appointed to revise the collection. Shall burst with tenfold rage on thy devoted head; By meek heart-struck repentance led, Suppliant thou fall before th' offended God; If haply yet thou may'st avert his ire, And stay his arm outstretch'd to launch th' avenging fire. II. Did not high God of old ordain, When to thy grasp he gave the sceptre of the main, That empire in this favour'd land, Fix'd on religion's solid base should stand? Be truth, be sanctity thy guide; Be humble fear thy God, and fear thou none beside.” III. Oft has th' offended Power his rising anger shown: Led on by his avenging hand, Rebellion triumphs in the land; Twice have her barbarous sons our war-train'd hosts o'er thrown. They fell a cheap inglorious prey; Th' ambitious victor's boast was half suppress'd, While heaven-bred fear and wild dismay Unmann'd the warrior's heart, and reign'd in every breast. IV. Her arms to foreign lands Britannia bore; Her arms auspicious now no more! With frequent conquests where the sires were crown'd, The sons ill-fated fell, and bit the hostile ground: The tame war-trading Belgian fled, While in his cause the Briton bled: The Gaul stood wond'ring at his own success; While the brave foe still urged th' unequal fight, V. But heavier far the weight of shame, That sunk Britannia's naval fame : In vain she spreads her once victorious sails; Avoids the long-impending blow, Improves the kind escape, and triumphs in his flight. VI. The monstrous age, which still increasing years debase, Which teems with unknown crimes, and genders new dis grace, First, unrestrain❜d by honour, faith, or shame, Confounding every sacred name, The hallowed nuptial bed with lawless lust profaned: Derived from this polluted source, The dire corruption held its course Through the whole cankered race, and tainted all the land. VII. The rip'ning maid is versed in ev'ry dang❜rous art, In wanton mask to lead the way, To move the pliant limbs, to roll the luring eye; |